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Writer's pictureMatt Beaney

#483 (17/11/21) YOU ARE NOT MERE HUMANS!



This week’s devotionals are based on 1 Corinthians 3:1-9.

'You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?' (1 Corinthians 3:3-4)

i) YOU ARE STILL WORLDY

Paul twice uses the word ‘flesh’ (‘worldly’ in the NIV). To live according to the flesh is to live in opposition to the will of the Holy Spirit. Their ‘jealousy and quarrelling over leaders’ are a failure to ‘keep in step with the Holy Spirit’ (Galatians 5:25).


ii) YOU ARE ACTING LIKE MERE HUMANS

He likens their divisions to living like ‘mere human beings’. Christians are not ‘mere human beings’. We must understand our new identity and live in light of that: we are people with the Spirit dwelling in us; we are united to Jesus and to one another by the Spirit; we are justified and adopted by God in Christ. Jealousy and quarrelling of any sort cannot remain unresolved in a community that embraces the power of the gospel. Paul Tripp wrote about the transformation that the gospel works in us,

‘The gospel is a living identity for all who believe. We have become something in Christ, something that is glorious and new and filled with new potential. Good gospel theology doesn’t just define for you who God is and what he has done; it also redefines who you are as his child.’

IN RESPONSE

Are we aware that we are not ‘mere human beings’? We have the Spirit living in us and have a choice of whether to live according to the flesh (be ‘worldly’) or keep in step with the Spirit in our relationships.


OVER TO YOU - PRAY AND WORSHIP OUT OF THE BIBLE

I’ve made a few comments. However, it’s more important that you engage with the text yourself. Take a moment to pray and listen to God’s voice out of today’s text.

‘You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?' (1 Corinthians 3:3-4)

I find it helpful to use the following questions which are based upon The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).


1. Praise - What does this text teach me about God? What can I praise Him for?

2. Petitions - What does this teach me about His will for me and others? What could I pray for from this text? This is a good time to pray for our non-believing. friends. It’s good to ask, Is the Holy Spirit leading me in any specific response?

3. Peace-making - Is the Holy Spirit convicting me of sin for which I need forgiveness? Do I need to forgive others?

4. Protection - Ask for God’s protection generally and for any specific areas of vulnerability. Am I believing lies regarding the truths in this text?

 

COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY


1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.


We have our second gift day on the 21st of November. Let's be praying for How the Father wants us to get involved.

 

2. Icebreaker

How has God spoken to you from the Bible this week?

 

2. Focus on the carol service

I'd like us to start by focusing on sharing, planning and praying for our carol service which is coming up on the 5th of December.


Let's watch this short video together (The image below is the link)



1. Who are you planning to invite to the carol service on 5th December?

2. Do you plan to do anything special to connect (SIV) with your friends outside of the church during this Christmas season?

3. Prayer

i) Let's spend some time in prayer for ourselves, that we would be courageous and invite people.

ii) Pray for our friends to be receptive.

iii) Pray for the carol service in general and Adrian in particular.


Here is the link for you to book ticket for yourself and your friends:



3. Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group


On Sunday, Nev spoke from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

‘Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.’ (1 Corinthians 3:1-9)

The Corinthians are dividing over many things; he tells them that they are infantile because there is 'jealousy and quarrelling' among them.

Nev, focussed on verse 9, where we see that the church is 'God’s field, God’s building'. The church, like any garden or building, should reflect the skill and design of the builder; therefore, love and unity that reflects the Gospel should be rich in every church.


Discussion questions

1. What is the 'milk' and 'solid food' that this text refers to?

2. Why does he tell them that they are 'worldly - mere infants'?

3. What do verses 6-8 teach us about the correct attitude toward leaders?

4. The local church is 'God's field, God's building'. How would our relationships with leaders and others be if we allowed God to build us as He would want?

5. As 'God's cultivated field', Nev challenged us with this question that we can discuss together: How do you ensure that you put your roots into Jesus each day?






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2 Comments


Matt Beaney
Matt Beaney
Nov 17, 2021

Thanks for spotting that!

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graeme.parkin
Nov 17, 2021

Response should be verses 3,4 and not 2 which was yesterday?

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